Inter climbed up to the second position in Serie A after they beat Sampdoria 2-0 on Sunday, while Udinese thrashed Palermo 7-0.
Inter now lie two points adrift of leaders AC Milan, who will host Napoli at home on Monday.
The European champions, beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich in their first leg of Champions League round of 16 last Wednesday, chalked up three precious points at Sampdoria thanks to goals from Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto'o.
Antonio Di Natale headed Udinese into a tenth-minute lead against Palermo and Alexis Sanchez added two more inside the opening half-hour.
Palermo were rocked again when Armin Bacinovic was dismissed five minutes before the interval and Di Natale promptly scored his second moments later, with Sanchez completing his hat-trick before the half was out.
Both players then registered again after the restart. Matteo Darmian was sent off for falling Pablo Armero.
The win moved Udinese up to fifth, a point behind Lazio, who lost 1-0 at Cagliari through an Andre Dias own goal on 40 minutes. Roma are five points behind their city rivals in sixth, having been held 2-2 at home against ten-man Parma.
At the bottom, Bari continue to prop up the standings despite drawing 1-1 against Fiorentina. The Biancorossi are eight points adrift of Brescia, who drew 2-2 with Lecce.
Elsewhere, Catania ended with ten men but triumphed 2-1 against Genoa, who had two players dismissed. Cesena beat Chievo 1-0 and are still three points away from relegation safety.
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrid confirm Diarra transfer
体坛英语资讯:Three Brazilians up for King of the Americastitle
体坛英语资讯:Allardyce named as Blackburn manager
体坛英语资讯:Annika bids farewell with birdie
体坛英语资讯:Tottenham Spurs upsets Wigan 3-1 in English FA Cup
体坛英语资讯:Hernanes elected best Brazilian soccer player of 2008
体坛英语资讯:Serena Williams takes fourth Australian Open title
体坛英语资讯:Aston Villa edges Hull 1-0
体坛英语资讯:Nadal muscles way onto list of all-time greats
国际英语资讯:Boat capsizes in San Francisco, all 30 people onboard rescued
体坛英语资讯:Brazilian Bruno Senna to get his chance at F1 racing
体坛英语资讯:Devils bounce back starring Clemmensen
体坛英语资讯:Yao and Scola guide Rockets past Kings
体坛英语资讯:Hamilton sees tough year in 2009
体坛英语资讯:Woods still uncertain about comeback
国际英语资讯:Global Biz Insight: Retreat of globalization a pseudo concept
体坛英语资讯:Gattuso: Becks cannot replace me
体坛英语资讯:Romario goes after Vasco for unpaid salary
体坛英语资讯:Hewitt set to leave Australia
体坛英语资讯:Yao, Rockets use 2 OT to stuff the Jazz
体坛英语资讯:Italian Super Cup to be played in Beijing
体坛英语资讯:Somalia stuns Tanzania 1-0 at CECAFA Challenge Cup
体坛英语资讯:Steelers overcomes Cardinals for sixth Super Bowl title
体坛英语资讯:Messi expresses disagreement with Basile
体坛英语资讯:Cafus future still uncertain
体坛英语资讯:AC Milan faces Bremen in UEFA Cup
体坛英语资讯:England striker Dofoe to leave Portsmouth
体坛英语资讯:Barcelona extends deal of midfielder Busquets until 2013
体坛英语资讯:Troubled star back in the league
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrid officially presents new signing Diarra